Actor Sandro Muhlach yesterday filed rape charges before the Department of Justice against two independent contractors of television network GMA7.
Accompanied by his father, former child actor Nino Muhlach, Sandro accused Richard Cruz and Jojo Nones of rape through sexual assault.
Muhlach’s legal counsel, Czarina Quintanilla-Raz said they are confident of their case against Cruz and Nones.
“The evidence is strong. We have the evidence that we need. We will get the justice that Sandro deserves,” Quintanilla-Raz said of their complaint.
She said they have also brought two witnesses to the DOJ though Quintanilla-Raz did not identify them.
Meanwhile, Sandro’s father said the filing of the complaint lifted a heavy load on their shoulders, adding that he could not bear to see his son suffering every day.
“Finally, umabot na kami sa araw na ito na that we are finally filing a case. Siyempre magkakaroon na ng mga court hearings and siguro soon makakamit rin namin ‘yung justice, which Sandro deserves (Finally, we have come to this, the filing of a case. There will be court hearings and, hopefully soon, we will get the justice which Sandro deserves),” Nino told reporters.
“Ambigat kasi nakikita mo ‘yung anak mo araw-araw na nagsa-suffer, ‘di makakain, ‘di makatulog (This is so difficult seeing your son suffering every day, he could not even eat and sleep),” he added.
The alleged sexual abuse, that was also the subject of a complaint filed by Muhlach before the National Bureau of Investigation, supposedly took place last July 20.
Cruz and Nones have both denied sexually abusing Muhlach when they appeared before the Senate last August 12.
“Kami po ang independent contractors ng GMA Network na tinutukoy sa mga online posts na kumalat noong mga nakaraang araw. Subalit, hindi po kami gumawa ng kahit anong sexual harassment or abuse laban kay Sandro Muhlach,” Cruz told the Senate inquiry. (We are the independent contractors of GMA Network pointed to in online posts. But, we did not do any sexual harassment or abuse against Sandro Muhlach).
“Sa pagkakataong ito sa harap ninyong lahat, mariing tinatanggi po gamin ang lahat ng mapanirang akusasyon na ito laban sa amin (Today, in front of you all, we firmly denied any malicious accusation against us),” he added.
Nones echoed his co-accused’s statement as he said he also did not sexually harass or abuse the young actor.
Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media ordered the detention of Jojo Nones for his continued refusal to cooperate during the investigation.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada cited Nones in contempt after he evasively responded to questions about an alleged offer to donate money to a charitable institution chosen by Nino Muhlach.
“No offer of settlement po, you honor,” Nones replied when asked by Estrada.
Estrada, irked by Nones’ response, stated, “I did not say it’s a settlement. You are putting words in my mouth.”
The motion was approved by Sen. Robin Padilla, the panel chairman, who ordered Nones’ detention at the Senate building.
Estrada added that Nones would be released once he “speaks the truth.” (With Raymond Africa)
